Apparatus and process for packing articles.



1. A. MILLIRQN. APPARATUS ANDIEOGESS FOR PACKINGAETIGLES.

AIAPLIGATION-FILEDAT'JG. 15, 191,3.

1,132,668. Patented Mar 23,1915.

2 SHEETS-#SHEET 1.

j.' ZZr Q 1. A. MILLIRON; APPA'RATUSAND PROCESS FOR PACKINGv ARTICLES,

' .APPLICATIONIILIIDAUG.15,1934 4 Patented Mar.243',1915.

- 2 SHEETS-1831221: 2.

Z5 Z? Il 5] manto@ l Umm'. @Mains rANTrrIcE.

, Lisanne.

around them to produce IRA A. MILLIRON, OE NEw YORK, N. Y., AssIeNoR, PY iiIEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, To

. HAMMCCK'EGG CARRIER COMPANY, A CORPORATION or wEsT VIRGINIA.

APPARATUS AND PROCEss POR PACKING-ARTICLES.

To all whom it mag/concern Be it known that I, IRA A. MILLIRON, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Apparatus and Processes for Packing Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an apparatus and method foi` inc losing the eggs in suitable containers in which they may betransported and is particularly adapted to the .shipping of eggs in small quantities by parcel post etc. to be sent direct from the producer to the consumer, thereby making it possible for the producer easily and at short intervals to supply the consumer with absolutely fresh eggs without the interposition of the middleman. By this means the price to the consumer will be lowered, commonly below that of ordinary eggs, and the prot to the producer may be increased.

The important features of my apparatus are a carrier for sustaining the eggs suitably spaced on the upper strips which are folded the envelop. After this initial operation the carrier is moved out 'ofoperative position and a standard is provided of suitable formation to receive the eggs in the envelop and sustain them while thematerial of the latter is being twisted to complete the formation of said envelop and `the inclosing of the eggs therein.

My invention will be understood by reference to the drawing herewith in which the lsame reference numerals indicate the corresponding parts in all the figures. Figure 1 is a side elevation of my apparatus. Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof en larged with the Carrier in operative position and the eggs and paper stri'ps sustained thereon. Fig. 3 is a partial side elevation of l Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a cross section corresponding to Fig. 2 with the carrier 'swung out of position and the eggs and envelop sustained on the legs of the standard. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of Fig. l Fig. 6 isa top plan of the apparatus with the eggs` and envelop in position on the standard after the twisting has been completed. Fig. 7 vis a perspective view of the outer leg of the standard with thedisk and the end of the envelop in p'osition. Fig. Seis a perspective view of the Specification of Letters Patent. 4 Patented lwgug 23,1915. Ap'piicaiion med August 15, i913. semi No. 784,902'. l

ysocket piece at the other end of the carrier.

Fig. 9 is a plan of one of the intermediate disks. Fig. 10 shows the trough with the container and disksin position and the eggs in theenvelop locked on, the partition disks lbeforethe sides of the container are folded over (withportions broken away). Fig. 11 illustrates how the container is inserted into the tubular jacket afterthesides of the former' have been folded over.

In the figures 1 indicatesthe base, adapted to stand solidly on a table of convenient form and height for the operator engaged in 'the work of wrapping the eggs. 0n -this base are supported the slideswhicli make -up the standard, for supporting the eggs and the envelop during the twisting operation. These slides are compfosed of the forked`legs'2 and pedestals 3 p-iovided with dove-tail tongues 4, tted to the slot 5 in the base. vThe slides arethus fitted to move longitudinally on the base, but the range of movement is limited, the minimum distance central forked leg 9 is fixed on the base and the movement of the adjacent slides in relation thereto is limited by suitable stops 10 and 1-1, onestop 'being on the pedestal 'and the other, coperating,- stop on the base. At

one end there is also. tteclto the groove 5,

-by a tongue 13, a slid-ing post 14, to v.which is 'journaleda shaft 15 carrying at its outer end the crank 16 and pn its inner end `the socket-piece 18 to receive the end disk 19`or `other part ori the endof the envelop'20 for tliepurpose of twisting 'the latter as will be described. The socket-piece is formed snugly to receive the disk, but the locking `of the latter in the socket piece is insuredl byy the twisted and folded end 21 of the envelop protruding through the hole in-the end disk `19"and extending into the slot 23 of the socket piece. thus actingas aL key.

To suitable posts 24 On the' back of the* standard is hinged the carrier formed ofthe back-pece andthe concave carrier sections 26, each adapted to receive an-individual egg, and suitably spaced so that a suiiicient length ofthe envelop will be left between the eggs 34 to form the intermediate twists. Evidently this carrier may be a disconnected part, but it is more convenient to attach it to the standard by some suitable means. Initially this carrier is arranged in elevated position as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3 and is there maintained by any convenient means suchas a leaf 27, hinged to the base so that it may be turned up to sustain the carrier on its arms 28, or turned down permitting the'carrier to swing away outA of position as best shown in Fig. 4.

Themechanism herein described is particularly adapted for -carrying out the first steps of my processv whereby the eggs are first securely inclosed in the envelop 2U, preparatory to lbeing deposited in the container 32.

The various operations are -as follows: Strips 20 are provided of any suitable material which is sufiiciently soft and flexible first to be wrapped around the eggs by hand, and suiiiciently plastic, so to speak, there to maintain its position for the twisting operation. Certain sorts of fabric may be used but a reasonably tough and strong paper is a good material, and withmost sorts of paper it will be better to wet the strip 4or strips 20. These wet strips are placed onl the carrier held in its elevated position, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, extending from end to end thereof. The eggs 3i are then placed on the strips as they lie on the carrier, one egg to each carrier section. The sides of the paper are Ithen folded upv and over the eggs. Then twist up with the fingers the ends 2l of the envelop so formed and insert the ends through the holes 3i' (or slots) in the end disks 19 where saidends are secured by the wires 39 or other suitable means. These end disks may be made double and heavier than the intermediatel disks if desired. This having been done the eggs in the partially formed envelop are ready for the twisting operation, whereby they are firmly inclosed in the envelop. To effect this, turn back the leaf 27 to remove the sup- 'held by friction and by the envelop tips 21 protruding into the slot 23, so that by turning the handle the inner end of the envelop isrotated withthe effect that the portion of Lisees the envelop between the first and seeond eggs is first twisted, and by continuing to turn the handle this torsional veffect is eX- tended down the entire length of the envelop to all the parts between the eggs, so that all the intermediate portions are twisted tight and the eggs firmly inclosed in the envelop as shown in Figs. (3 and 1l. rThe wet paper -is a medium tending to preserve the eggs and as it dries its firmness as a mechanical support is increased.

rIhe handle and socket-piece are a convenience but not a necessity for the envelop may be twisted' by taking direct hold of the end disk, or other equivalentvpart attached to that end of the envelop.

It will be seen that the slides of the stand ard when spread apart to the maximum are vtwisted to'form the completed envelop, it

of course shortens and for that reason the slides are arranged to move longitudinally on the base so that they may gradually approach one to the other; ,the minimum space between them is limited bv the size of the both sides approach thereto during vthe f twisting operation, but this fixed leg might be at the end, theleft end as here arranged, and all the slides including the crank post moving toward that end during the twisting operation.

The envelop inclosed eggs are now in shape to be deposited in the container which is effected as follows: In the hollow of the trough 40, made of wood or other suitable material in substantially the form shown, is placed the container 32 with its sides extending up parallel as best shown in Fi g. l0. This container may be made of any suitable material but corrugated paste board is desirable as that is light and strong. On the inner surface of this are formed grooves 43 to receive the disks le or other desirable form of partition. It will be understood that other means may be usedfor securing the partitions in place such as strings or metal fasteners but these grooves are simple and convenient. They are spaced to correspond to the envelop incl'osed eggs as shown. iVith the container thus arranged in the trough, there is then set in each groove a partition disk 44 with its slot 16 upwardly arranged to receive each one of the intermediate twisted portions 50 of the envelop.Y

This envelop, lwith the eggs inclosed as shown and with the end disks attached is then set.in place, the end disks going into the end grooves and the intermediate twists 50 into the slots 46 of the'intermediate disks 44. When this is done, similar disks 52, with. the slots turned down, are pressed vhome over each twisted portion alongside of sembled structure then placed in the con tainer, and the pairs of disks set in-the grooves, but this would not be a substantial modification o f my process, nor would it be so convenient as the procedure above described.

It now remains only to bend the container sides around the disks and maintain them inthat position to'form a closed tube with the `eggs safely inclosed Within. It may be corded or strapped but I prefer to insert the closed tubular container into a tubular Y jacket 53, which not only maintains the container closed but reinforces and stiens it so that no ordinary accident -will crush it or break the eggs within. Absolutely to avoid any such accident three or more containers may be tied together, when they will be practically as strong as a timber.

It will be. understood that the diameter of the disks and the closed container is slightly greater than that of the largest egg so that there will be no possibility of the egg coming in contact with the container wall, and the series of eggs will be carried therein on the partitions, perfectly protected against danger from shock, as Well as from blows, for the container and the disks being made of pasteboard or some similarl material are both very strong and somewhat-resilient, so that the eggs are not only sustained and protected but cushioned thereby.

The twisting of the envelop and the fixing of the partitions, properly spaced within the container, are important features of my invention for'thereby the eggs are secured very firmly in the envelop and are maintained in absolutely fixed position in the container, out of Yall possible contact vwith its walls or with the partitions or with each other. This method of wrapping and packing the eggs is practical for it is a simple operation and adapts itself automatically to eggs of varying sizes.

A further advantage of my method and means for packing the eggs isv its economy. By means of myy mechanism here described, the eggs are quickly and conveniently packed, not over a minute or two for the dozen in each container, and this is work for boys. In Fig. l I have indicated places for the eggs, but this may of course be a dozen, or more, or less.-

The material .for the container 1s very cheap. The containers and the Jackets may be shipped fiat (with the material for the l partitions) to the egg producer or other place where the eggs are packed, the containers as fiat sheets, and the jackets also as sheets with the inner portion of one edge ready gummed for ciosing, or the edges may be sealedto form the jacket linto a tube and the jacket tubethen flattened.

It will be understood thatI do not desire to limit myself to the exact form of mechanism `here shownnor to the'exact steps of the method here described for those may be much modified without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I have described my invention in connection with eggs, but it will b e evident that it maybe applied to other articles tobe individually wrapped for instance select fruits.

A preservative solution may be used instead of water to wet the envelop strips or .i

it may be applied to the eggs. Having described my invention I claim,-

1. Apparatus foi the packing of eggs in.

envelops for transportation,` comprising means initially for supporting wet strips of paper and the eggssuitably spaced thereon, while the paper visubeing folded around the eggs, and other means for secondarily .supporting the eggs so inclosed while the paper is being twisted about the eggs,'said second means being composed of moving elements and said first means composed of sectionsv adapted initially to be arranged alternately with said elements. A

2. Apparatus for the packinglof eggs in envelops for transportation, comprising means initially for supporting Wet strips of.

paper and the eggs suitably spaced thereon, While the paper is being folded around the eggs, and other means, for secondarily supporting the eggs soiinclosed' while the paper is being twisted about the eggs, said second means being composed of sliding elements and said first means composed of concave sections adapted initially to be arranged alternately with said elements.l

3. In an apparatus for packing' a series of eggs in an'envelop,vmeans to support the eggs and the envelop while the torsion is being applied to the envelop, comprising sepa'- rate elements arranged to be capable of independent longitudinal movement, means to limit the maximum and minimum distance between the elements, means to engage with one end of the envelop to hold it and means for engaging with the other end of' the envelop .for twisting the same.

4. In an apparatus for packing a series of eggs in an envelop, a standard to sup` port the eggs and the envelop while torsion close the eggs therein and to twist the por tions of the. envelop intermediate of thev is being applied to the latter iirmlylto in- `*i2-5 y tively a supporting standard, and being slides having 4vi/'idened bases to limit 'the minimum distance between the slides, and connections between the `adjacent slides to limit the maximum distance between the same, and means to apply said torsion to the envelop.,

5. In an apparatus for packing eggs in an envelop, a base, slides forming collecfitted to slide longitudinally on the base,

means to limit the m'aximum and minimum distance between the slides and a carrier .hinged to said base and adapted to be swung i into and out of operative position initially vao " and means to support said carrier initially invelevated operative position.

7. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation comprising a base, a series of slides supported on the base to move longitudinally thereon, means to limit the movement of the slides, a bearing post supported on the base to be movable with the slides, an operating shaft journaled'in lthe post, cranks on the operating shaftwhereby it is turned and means to secure the operating shaft to the envelop whereby the latter is twisted.

' 8. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation comprising a solid base to set on the operating table, a ser'ies of slides secured to said base and fitted to move longitudinally thereon, each slide being composedof a widened pedestal and a forked leg upwardly extending therefrom, connections between the slides to limit their maximum extent of separation, a post supported on the base near one end, a shaft.

' journaled in the post, a crank lon the outer end of the shaft, a socket piece en theA inner end of the shaft to engage with one end of the envelop, a clamp on the slide at the oppositeend of the series to'enga'ge with a -part on the opposite end-of theenvelop, a carrier hinged on the base to be swung into and out of operative position, -said carrier being composed of concave channeled -s'ections, spaced apart, said sections being adapted to be arranged initially in operative position alternately with the forked legs of the slides, and a supporting leaf hinged to the base and adapted to be turned up to engage with the carrier and maintain it in operative position.

9. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation comprising a solid base to set on the operating table, a series of slides secured to said base and fitted to move longitudinallythereon, each slide `being composed of a widened pedestal and a thin metal forked leg upwardly extending therefrom, each slide being connected to the adjacent slides by plates secured to one and connected to the next by a pin fitted to a slot in the plate to limit the maximum extent of separation between the plates, a post supported on the base near` one end and fitted to slide thereon, a shaft journaled inthe post, a crank on the outer end of the shaft, a slotted socket piece on the inner end of the shaft to engage with one end of the envelop, the slide at the opposite end being provided witha spring clamp to engageA with a part on the opposite end of the envelop, posts on the rear of the base, a carrier composed ofchanneled sections, spaced apart, said carrier being hinged-011 said posts by arms, said sections being adapted to be arranged initially in operative position alternately with the forked legs of the slides and a leaf hinged to the back of the base and provided with arms, said leaf being adapted to be turned upwardly to bring its arms beneath the carrier'to sustain it temporarily and initially in operative position, substantially as described and shown.

10. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation, comprising means initially for supporting strips of fiexible material and the eggs suitably spaced thereon while the strips are being folded about the eggs, and other means secondarily for receiving the eggsso inclosed within said flexible material and supporting the same while the material is being twisted to form twisted portions between the eggs, said second means being initially arranged immediately below the first means.

11. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation, comprising means initially'for supporting strips of flexible material and the eggs suitably spaced thereon while the strips are being folded about the eggs, and'other means sec- Qndarily for supporting' the eggsso inclosed' -avithin said fiexible material, while the material is being twisted to form twisted porf tions between theeggs, both of said means being made up of sections, the sections of one means beingarranged alternatelywith those of the other..

12. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in envelops for transportation, comprising means initially forsupporting 'strips of fieXible material and the eggs suitably "spaced thereon while the strips are being folded about the eggs, andother means secpsi 13. Apparatus for the packing of eggs in,l

envelops for transportation, comprising means initially for, supporting strips of flexible material.` and the 'eggs suitably spaced thereon while 'the strips Aare bei-ng,

folded about the eggs, and other means secondarily for supporting the eggs so inclosed withinA said flexible material, while the material is being twisted to`formtwistedportions between the eggs, both 'of said means' being made up of sections, the sections of the first being in fixed relation to veach other yto diminish the spaces between them as and the sections of the second being arranged to move independently of each othe sai material is being twisted.

14. Apparatus forthe packing of eggs in envelops for transportation, comprising means initially Jfor supporting strips of flexible material and the eggs suitably spaced thereon while the strips are being folded about the eggs, and other means secondarily for supporting the` eggs so inclosed within-said flexible ,material, whil e the material is being twisted to form twisted portions between the eggs. said second means being initially .arranged immediately below the rst, each of said means being composed of sections, thev sections ,oftheon'e being arranged alternately withthose of the other, and the rst means being adapted to be lowered to transfer the eggs and the envelop to the second means to support the same during the operation ot twisting.

15. Apparatus for packing a series ot eggs or' similar articles arranged long'i tudinallv in an envelop of yielding material, comprising means initially for supporting the strip of yielding material and the eggs suitably spaced thereon while the strip is being folded around the eggs, other means secondarilv for supporting the eggs inclosed in the strip while the latter is beingI twistedand means to. twist the strip and form a plurality of twists therein between the adiacent eggs. v

16. ln an apparatus for packing a series of articlesin an envelop, means for supporting an envelop and the articles while torsion is being applied to the former to inclose the articles therein, said ,means'com'prising separate" elements supported to be capable of movement both relatively to, and simultaneously with, adjacent elements to shorten the series thereby to compensate for progressive contraction of the envelop, means to secure the envelop at one end against rotation whereby twisting from the opposite end will inclose the articles, and means to twist .thle

envelopfrom the opposite end to inclose the articles.

17. An apparatus for packing a series of articles in an envelop comprising means for the spacing of the articles within the envelop while torsion is being applied to the latter to inclose the articles therein, said means consisting of separate spacing elements arranged to be capable of relative longitudinal movement to compensate for the contraction of the envelop and adapted to establish a minimum spacing for the ar ticles, means to secure' the envelop at one end thereof and means to twist the envelop from the opposite end whereby the articles are A inclosed.

18. An apparatus for' packing a series of articles in an envelop comprising means for the spacing of the articles within the envelop while torsion is 'being applied to the latter to inclose thel articles therein, said means comprising a slide-way support, separate spacing elements arranged on said sup- `portto be capable of relative movement to 4'compensate for the contraction of the envelop, said elements-being adapted to de'- termine the minimum spacing of the articles and means to secure one end of the envelop against rotation whereby. upon twisting the lenvelop from the opposite endl the articles will be inclosed.

19. `Invan apparatus forpacking a series of articles in`an envelop, means for supporting an envelop and the article while torsion is being'applied to the former to inclose the articles therein, said meanscomprising a ,slide-way, separate supporting elementsfitted to the vslide-way and connected to be capable of movement both relatively to, and simultaneously with, adjacent elements so as'to shorten the series and .thereby compensate-for the contraction of the envelop and means to space the elements to estab- 'lish a minimum distance betweentlie articles.. r I- Y 20. In an' apparatus for packing a series of articles in an envelop, means for supporting the envelop and the articles while tor' sion is being applied to the former to inclose the articles therein, said means comprising a 'slide-way, separate supporting elements fitted to the slide-way and arf.

ranged to be capable of movement both relatively to, and simultaneously with, adjacent elements so as to shorten the series to compensate for the contraction'of the envelop,

meanscarried by onelof the supporting elel ments to secure one end of the envelop against rotation and means to twist the envelop from the opposite end whereby the articles are inclosed. l l v 21. An apparatus for packing a. series of articles in an envelop comprising means for the spacing-of the articles within'the en f @so -v-elop While torsion is being-applied to the latter to inclose the articles therein, said means consisting of separate spacing elements, a suitable support therefor, connections between the elements adapted to .permit of their relative movement to compensate ;tor the contraction of the envelop, 4means to establish a minimum spacing o the elements to. determine the position ot the .articles and means to secure the envelop at one en d thereof wherebyl upon twisting. of `the Opposite end the articles will be inclosed.

22. An apparatus for packing a series. ot articles in an envelop comprising means orthe spacing ot the articles within'the envelop while torsionis being applied to the latter to' inclose the -articles therein` said ymeans consisting` of separate spacing elements, a i suitable ysupport Itherefor@ con--` .means to .establish a. minimum spacing of' the elements to determine the yposition of the articles, meansto secure the envelop at one end thereot'fand means for twisting the envelop from the oppositeA end whereby the .articles are inclosed.

23. .In an vapparatus for packing a plurality of articles longitudinally arranged ina single envelop, means for supporting the envelop and the articles, while torsion isbeing applied to the former to make the twists at the ends of the envelop and between lthe articles, comprising a. series ot separate elements supported. each to be capable Ot movement both relatively to, and v simultaneouslv with, the other elements. to :permit the adjacent elements to approach and the entire series the envelop is being sion. l

shortened by the tor- 24. In an apparatusfor packing a plu-' ralitv of small articles, arranged longitudinallv in a. Single envelop, means for supporting` the envelop and the articles While torsion is being applied t0 the former to inclose the articles therein, said means comprising 1a series ot similar separate. elements.

l ,arranged V,to receive between adjacent elements `one veach of the articles and to be capable hotindepengdent, horizontal, parallel movementwermitting the adjacent elements to be shortened while Maase@ ened to correspond to the shortening of the envelopduring torsion.

25. In an apparatus for packing a plurality of articles in a single envelop, means for supporting the envelop and the articles while torsion is being applied to the former to inclose the latter therein, said means. comprising a base adapted to remain stationary during the operation and a series of separate supporting elements fitted to slide independently, horizontally and parallelen said base, permitting the adjacent elements to approach and the entire series to be shortened to correspond to the shortening ol' the envelop during the torsion.

2G. An apparatus for packing aplurality of small articles in a single envelop, comprising a series of elements arranged all to be capable of. independent longitudinal movement toward and from each other, to support the envelop while torsion is being applied to the same, extensions on said elements to engage and limit the minimum distance between the adjacent elements and positive connections between vthe adjacent elements to limit the maximum distance therebetween. i

27. In an apparatus vfor packing a plurality of'small articles in a single envelop,

means for supporting the envelop and the articles while torsion is being .applied tothe former to inclose the articles therein, said means comprising separate elements ,supported to be capable of independent movement, said elements having free upperends on which to receive the envelop.

28. In an apparatus for packing a plurality ot' small articles in a single envelop,

Ameans for supporting the envelop and the articles while.` torsion is .being applied .to the former to inclose the latter therein, said means comprising a series of separate elements, supported to be capable of independent movement, said elements being arranged to extend vertically .and parallel and having free upper vends and seats 'formed on said ends in which to receive'tlie. envelop.

'In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification in theipresence ol two subscribing witnesses.

` IRA-A. .MILLIRON llitnesses:

J. Roscoe Minna/Ann, M. L. BRE-stm'. 

